Show ContentsChaytor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Chaytor family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Chaytor family lived in Somerset. They were originally from Carteret Manche, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Chaytor family

The surname Chaytor was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Chaytor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chaytor research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1090, 1178 and 1494 are included under the topic Early Chaytor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chaytor Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Chaytor include Chaytor, Chater, Chaters, Chator, Chators and others.

Early Notables of the Chaytor family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • John Chaytor of York

Chaytor Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Chaytor is the 462nd most popular surname with an estimated 102 people with that name. 1


United States Chaytor migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Chaytors to arrive on North American shores:

Chaytor Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Chaytor, who settled in Newbury in 1635
Chaytor Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Chaytor, who settled in Baltimore in 1823
  • Mary and William Chaytor, who arrived in New York City in 1823

Canada Chaytor migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Chaytor Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Chaytor U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 was part of the Penobscot Association 2

New Zealand Chaytor migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Chaytor Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J. C. Chaytor, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thames City" in 1860
  • E. Chaytor, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thames City" in 1860
  • A. Chaytor, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1864
  • Arthur Chaytor, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inflexible" in 1870

Contemporary Notables of the name Chaytor (post 1700) +

  • Sir William Richard Carter Chaytor, 2nd Baronet, British politician and businessman
  • Steven John Chaytor, Australian politician
  • David Michael Chaytor (b. 1949), British politician


The Chaytor Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortune le veut
Motto Translation: Fortune so wills it.


  1. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  2. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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